"Materialized out of Finland"

Materialized out of Finland

Curated by Äkkigalleria

July 24th – 26th 2014

Opening reception Thursday, July 24th 6-8 pm

Maija Holma - Leena Kangaskoski - Antti Laitinen - Emma Lappalainen- Janne Nabb & Maria Teeri - Jukka Silokunnas - Lasse Ursin

For its 5th anniversary, the Finnish nomadic art gallery, Äkkigalleria, is venturing outside of its hometown Jyväskylä to present work by seven Finnish artists in the exhibition Materialized out of Finland in collaboration with Initial Gallery. The selection of pieces is balanced between the two strong roots of Finnish culture and economy: wilderness and technology.

Much of the work is process based, and involves various degrees of intense labour. Be it the physically demanding work of destroying a boat (Jukka Silokunnas), cutting up a frozen lake (Antti Laitinen) or chipping up a log (Emma Lappalainen or building self-sufficient kinetic sculptures (Lasse Ursin). All demand a certain determination and sacrifice proudly known as “sisu” in the Finnish language. Each piece has an intimate story as well, reflecting the solitary nature of Finns. The lone, physical and technical involvement in each creation is reflective of the Finnish relationship to nature.

About the gallery:

Äkkigalleria is an artist-run, non-profit, nomadic exhibition space that appears spontaneously when appropriate locations become available. Our intention is to provide a rent-free platform for a commixture of artists to show new work. Äkkigalleria was established in 2009, with the intension of mobilizing the visual arts into happenings and events; to offer alternative venues for sharing visual arts; to provide live, cultural and social activities for the residents of Jyväskylä; to support local and emerging artists; to activate vacant spaces; and to instigate exchange between artists and artistic disciplines. We strive to promote creative risk taking, to find new and imaginative ways to bring art to different public spheres by engaging existing spaces.